Cinque Terre with our four-legged friends, a unique ecosystem to explore with them by just using a bit of common sense
- Generally speaking…
- The trails
- Beaches
- Walking areas
- Overnight stay
- How to reach the Cinque Terre and surrounding areas with our four-legged friends
- By boat, going to the Cinque Terre is “paws—sible”!
Generally speaking…
Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, this is the order in which you will encounter the Cinque Terre coming from La Spezia. They are seaside resorts that can be visited with our four-legged friends - full of trails that can be tackled with dogs but, the intense heat (from late spring until the beginning of autumn), and the considerable differences in altitude encountered along some of the hiking trails must be taken into account.. Some climbs, for those starting out from these small inhabited centers set in the rocky walls, have considerable slopes, for example, if you want to reach the Alta Via, following the ancient mule tracks; this is the panoramic route that is located at the top of the mountains that are located behind the hamlets. We also remind all people who wish to tackle these routes with their four-legged companion, especially during the warmer months, to bring along a sufficient supply of water for the animal too.
The trails
The most accessible and popular trails in the Cinque Terre are subject to a fee; for the one from Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia we suggest you keep your dog on a leash also because there are wild animals roaming about. Especially during hours of the day when human presence in the woods is more limited (including daylight hours), it is very likely you will come across wild boars, foxes, and deer. The situation is different inside the hamlets, where you can walk with your dogs and where you will come across numerous fountains of drinking water, for free, where it is possible to find refreshment. Many shops and premises make special bowls available to our four-legged friends. If you stop in a restaurant, you can always ask for water.
Beaches
Dogs are not allowed on all beaches, so we advise you to always check whether this is possible so as not to incur fines - in most cases the ban applies at all hours of the day and night.
However - just past Cinque Terre, there is a similar place. Precisely, it is in Bonassola where you can find a small beach. This beach is easily reachable from Levanto; in fact, after the first tunnel of the Maremonti cycle/pedestrian path, which connects Levanto, Framura, Bonassola, you will find it on your left. The beach is very small in size and it is free, it can accommodate a dozen dogs at the same time. Its google coordinates are: 44.17295327066081, 9.597690744835226.
Walking areas
In the Cinque Terre, there are no suitably prepared walking areas; however, in La Spezia there are two; one in the Rebocco District (Parco del Colombaio) - about 15 minutes’ walking distance from the central train station; the other one is adjacent to the Maggiolina park (Parco XXV Aprile) which can be reached in about the same time if you leave from the other train station - that of La Spezia Migliarina.
Levanto is also equipped with a walking area. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the train station in a green, tree-lined triangle between Via On. Zoppi and Via Nostra Signora della Guardia, right in front of the railway yard parking lot.
Overnight stay
In Levanto and La Spezia, or inland, there is a greater number of accommodations and B&Bs, and this increases the possibility of finding suitable lodging that is attentive to the needs of you and of your four-legged friends. In the Cinque Terre area, the limited number of rooms, the very characteristics of the hamlets, make it much more improbable of being able to obtain a similar service.
How to reach the Cinque Terre and surrounding areas with our four-legged friends
It is possible to reach the Cinque Terre by train, but not areas that are equally picturesque such as Palmaria Island (accessible only by boat), where you could go with your four-legged friend and spend hours on wild beaches. Levanto and Bonassola are also served by rail as well as each of the Cinque Terre. We urge you to keep in mind that the crowds at the station, the trains that could be crowded at peak tourist times, might be very stressful for your four-legged friends.
[https://www.trenitalia.com]
Animals are generally accepted on trains, and there is no cost for bringing them along if they are small; for medium and large animals, however, a ticket is required – there may be additional discounts in addition to the 50% reduction for weekends and special times of the year
By boat, going to the Cinque Terre is “paws—sible”!
Whatever their size, on the motorboats of the Cinque Terre and Golfo dei Poeti Tourist Maritime Consortium, your four-legged friends, with a muzzle and on a leash, travel totally free of charge. Prominent among them is Palmaria Island, where the public beaches (especially at Pozzale) are numerous and wild, and dogs are generally welcome. Some beach resorts and the presence of cafés and restaurants make refreshment and fresh water available for your dogs as well. Also, from Levanto, thanks to the ferry services, it is possible to reach the Cinque Terre by boat and to sit outside on the deck, in the open air. Not only that, from La Spezia, by purchasing a daily ticket, you can reach - by ferry - Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore but also Porto Venere. Remember that Corniglia is the only hamlet in the Cinque Terre not served by the network of boat routes.
FAQ
Doubts, questions? Insights?
Check out this page:<
Wi-FI
Our passengers benefit from the free and unlimited wifi network on board the motor ships
Audio guide
Our app with audio guide is here!
Available for Android and iOs.
Download it now
